Chichester

Chichester's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and marriage.

The population passed 110,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Chichester increased by 6.9%, from just over 106,000 to 114,000.

The addition of about 7,300 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Chichester was home to, on average, 1 person per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the South East's least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Chichester

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Chichester increased by two years, from 44 to 46 years.

This agricultural area had a higher average age than the South East and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,600 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 2,000.

About 14% of people in Chichester are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Chichester by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Chichester

The percentage of Chichester residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 7.6% to 7.8% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.1%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.4% in 2001. The percentage of Chichester residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 6.8% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Chichester, but at a slower rate than across the South East.

In Chichester, the proportion of private renting increased from 11% in 2001 to 15% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 10% to 16%.

Across the South East, the share of privately rented homes increased from 10% to 16%.

The rate of social housing in Chichester remained close to 15%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 70% to 67%.

Private renting in Chichester increased by 3.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Chichester, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Relationships in Chichester

The percentage of married people fell in Chichester at a faster rate than in Waverley (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Chichester).

In Chichester, the proportion of married people decreased from 56% in 2001 to 52% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Waverley decreased from 56% to 55%.

Across the South East, the share of married people decreased from 53% to 49%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership in Chichester increased from 24% to 27%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 9.9% to 12%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Chichester residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.2% to 4.3% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 70% in 2001. The percentage of Chichester residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Chichester decreased by 2.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Chichester, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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